ABSTRACT

Veterinarians and technicians working in the laboratory animal field may face unique ethical challenges. There are several laws, regulations, and guidelines that provide guidance to the research community regarding the appropriate care and use of animals. Many of these outline specific expectations for adhering to humane endpoints and euthanasia procedures. The Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, administered by the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW), implements the US Government Principles. Although proper performance results in the humane death of the animal, there exist varied reasons for euthanasia. In some instances, euthanasia is performed out of concerns for well-being of the animal, while in others, it is undertaken as part of the experimental design of studies in which the animals are being used. Sometimes, animals must be euthanized because they are ill. In some cases, this is the result of unexpected disease, while in other cases, illness may be associated with experimental use.